A Farmington pastor says his congregation forgives a bookkeeper who is accused of embezzling nearly $80,000 from the church's bank account.

Pastor Ruben Romero of the New Life Worship Center says its members are focusing on rebuilding. He says they're again making donations to the church in the wake of the thefts that he detected in September.

Anita Johnston faces a preliminary court hearing Thursday after being arrested Tuesday in the alleged embezzlement.

The 66-year-old Aztec woman is accused of depositing the church's money into her son's bank account without her son's knowledge.

According to the Daily Times, Romero said he wasn't aware that Johnston had a previous criminal record for embezzlement.